Pen with cutting function

ABSTRACT

A pen with cutting function includes a main body having a writing tip provided at an end thereof, and a cap fitted around the writing tip. The cap has a closed and an open end, a wall portion extended between the closed and the open end, at least one first projected portion axially extended from the wall portion to project beyond the closed end of the cap, and at least one cutting section provided at the closed end in the vicinity of the first projected portion. When the pen is so positioned with the first projected portion bearing against an article to be cut open, the cutting section at the closed end of the cap is adapted to slide along the article and smoothly cut open wrapping of the article.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a pen, and more particularly to a penwith cutting function.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The currently available pens are normally designed for writing only.Among others, there is a pen particularly designed for writing ormarking on a compact disk. Generally, compact disks are protectedagainst scratches or damages in several different ways, a first one ofwhich is to position each one single compact disk in a box, which isthen tightly coated with a layer of shrink wrapping; and a second one ofwhich is to stack a plurality of compact disks to a predetermined volumeand then package the stacked compact disks as a whole with a layer ofshrink wrapping to prevent the compact disks from separating from oneanother and being damaged. Usually, wrappings for packaging the compactdisks may be transparent or opaque.

However, to open the tight shrink wrapping of the compact disk or diskspackaged in either of the above-mentioned two ways, an additionalcutting tool, such as a pair of scissors, a blade, etc., is usuallyrequired. It is, of course, inconvenient for most consumers to prepareor to fetch an additional cutting tool simply for opening the package ofcompact disk or disks. It is therefore tried by the inventor to developa pen with cutting function for a user to conveniently cut open thepackage of compact disk or disks.

Taiwanese Patent No. 554838 published on the Patent Gazette dated Sep.21, 2003 discloses a pen that includes an upper body and a lower bodyhaving a reservoir tube for writing. The pen is characterized in thatthe upper body is a hollow tubular member provided with an axiallyextended moving slot of a predetermined length. An inner sleeve having along slot corresponding to the moving slot of the upper body is insertedvia an upper end of a locating member into a lower part of the upperbody by a predetermined length. The inner sleeve fitted in the upperbody is integrally formed of a plastic material through injectionmolding. The inner sleeve is provided with an open recess, to which apair of mini scissors and a knife are pivotally connected to movebetween a folded position, in which the scissors and the knife arereceived in the open recess, and an extended position, in which thescissors and the knife are pivotally turned outward to locate above theopen recess of the inner sleeve.

The Taiwanese Patent No. 554838 also discloses a spring leaf provided inthe open recess. With an elastic force provided by the spring leaf, thescissors and the knife could be conveniently operated to move into theopen recess or locate above the open recess.

To cut something with the scissors and the knife, a user has topivotally turn the latter to locate them above the open recess. Sincethere is not any supporting element provided on the pen for bearingagainst and therefore applying a supporting force on the thing to becut, the knife sliding along the thing to be cut tends to skid off thething and dangerously injure the user. Moreover, since the scissors andthe knife are folded or extended through the elastic force of the springleaf, it is very possible the user negligently touches the spring leafto cause undesired ejection of the scissors or the knife, which tends toinjure the user.

It is therefore desirable to develop a pen with cutting function that issafe for use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a pen withcutting function, a cap of which is provided at a wall portion with atleast one first projected portion axially projected beyond a closed endof the cap, and at the closed end in the vicinity of the at least onefirst projected portion with a cutting section, such that the at leastone first projected portion is adapted to bear against an article to becut open while guiding the cutting section to smoothly cut open thearticle.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a pen with cuttingfunction, a main body of which is provided at a body portion with atleast one first projected portion axially projected beyond a first endof the main body, and at the first end of the main body in the vicinityof the at least one first projected portion with a cutting section, suchthat the at least one first projected portion is adapted to bear againstan article to be cut open while guiding the cutting section to smoothlycut open the article.

To achieve the above and other objects, the pen with cutting functionaccording to a first preferred embodiment of the present inventionincludes a hollow main body having a first end and a second end oppositeto the first end and having a writing tip coupled therewith, and a capfitted around the writing tip. The cap includes a closed and an openend, and a wall portion extended between the closed and the open end.The pen is characterized in that the cap is provided at the wall portionwith at least one first projected portion axially extended beyond theclosed end of the cap, and that the cap is provided at the closed end inthe vicinity of the at least one first projected portion with at leastone cutting section, such that the at least one first projected portionis adapted to bear against an article to be cut open while guiding thecutting section to smoothly cut open the article without the risk ofskidding off the article.

The cutting section has a cutting edge, and is projected from the closedend of the cap by a distance smaller than a distance by which the atleast one first projected portion is projected beyond the closed end ofthe cap.

In a second preferred embodiment of the present invention similar to thefirst one, the wall portion of the cap is further provided with a secondprojected portion opposite to the at least one first projected portion.The first and the second projected portion are spaced from each other bya predetermined distance for the cap to straddle the article to be cutopen.

Moreover, the closed end of the cap is configured into a smoothly curvedguide surface, which is extended from the wall portion for contactingwith the article to be cut open.

In a third preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pen withcutting function includes a hollow main body and a cap. The main bodyincludes a closed first end, a second end opposite to the first end, abody portion extended from the first end to the second end, and awriting tip coupled with the second end. The pen is characterized inthat the body portion is provided at an outer surface with at least onefirst projected portion axially extended beyond the first end of themain body, and that at least one cutting section is provided at andprojected from the first end of the main body in the vicinity of the atleast one first projected portion, such that the at least one firstprojected portion is adapted to bear against an article to be cut openwhile guiding the cutting section to smoothly cut open the articlewithout the risk of skidding off the article.

In the third embodiment, the cutting section also has a cutting edge,and is projected from the closed first end of the main body by adistance smaller than a distance by which the at least one firstprojected portion is projected beyond the closed first end of the mainbody.

In a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention similar to thethird one, the body portion of the main body is further provided with asecond projected portion opposite to the at least one first projectedportion. The first and the second projected portion are spaced from eachother by a predetermined distance for the main body of the pen tostraddle the article to be cut open.

And, the closed first end of the main body is configured into a smoothlycurved guide surface, which is extended from the body portion forcontacting with the article to be cut open.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The structure and the technical means adopted by the present inventionto achieve the above and other objects can be best understood byreferring to the following detailed description of the preferredembodiments and the accompanying drawings, wherein FIG. 1 is an explodedperspective view of a pen with cutting function according to a firstpreferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1A is an enlarged view of the circled area of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 is an assembled view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2A is an enlarged view of the circled area of FIG. 2;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view showing the use of the pen according to thefirst preferred embodiment of the present invention to cut open anarticle;

FIG. 3A is an enlarged view of the circled area of FIG. 3;

FIG. 4 is a side view of FIG. 3;

FIG. 4A is an enlarged view of the circled area of FIG. 4;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a pen with cutting functionaccording to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5A is an enlarged view of the circled area of FIG. 5;

FIG. 6 is an assembled view of FIG. 5;

FIG. 6A is an enlarged view of the circled area of FIG. 6;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view showing the use of the pen according to thesecond preferred embodiment of the present invention to cut open anarticle;

FIG. 7A is an enlarged view of the circled area of FIG. 7;

FIG. 8 is a side view of FIG. 7;

FIG. 8A is an enlarged view of the circled area of FIG. 8;

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a pen with cutting functionaccording to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9A is an enlarged view of the circled area of FIG. 9;

FIG. 10 is an assembled view of FIG. 9;

FIG. 10A is an enlarged view of the circled area of FIG. 10;

FIG. 11 is a top plan view showing the use of the pen according to thethird preferred embodiment of the present invention to cut open anarticle;

FIG. 11A is an enlarged view of the circled area of FIG. 11;

FIG. 12 is a side view of FIG. 11;

FIG. 12A is an enlarged view of the circled area of FIG. 12;

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a pen with cutting functionaccording to a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13A is an enlarged view of the circled area of FIG. 13;

FIG. 14 is an assembled view of FIG. 13;

FIG. 14A is an enlarged view of the circled area of FIG. 14;

FIG. 15 is a top plan view showing the use of the pen according to thefourth preferred embodiment of the present invention to cut open anarticle;

FIG. 15A is an enlarged view of the circled area of FIG. 15;

FIG. 16 is a side view of FIG. 15; and

FIG. 16A is an enlarged view of the circled area of FIG. 16.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Please refer to FIGS. 1, 1A, 2, and 2A, in which a pen with cuttingfunction according to a first preferred embodiment of the presentinvention is shown. As shown, the pen includes a main body 11, which hasa first end 111, a second end 112 opposite to the first end and having awriting tip 114 provided thereat, and a body portion 113 extendedbetween the first and the second end 111, 112; and a hollow cap 12,which has a closed end 121, an open end 122, a wall portion 123 extendedfrom the closed end 121 to the open end 122, at least one firstprojected portion 13 axially extended from the wall portion 123 toproject beyond the closed end 121, and at least one cutting section 14provided at the closed end 121 in the vicinity of the at least one firstprojected portion 13 to project from the closed end 121 by apredetermined distance.

The cap 12 is adapted to fit at the open end 122 around the writing tip114 at the second end 112 of the main body 11.

The cutting section 14 includes a cutting edge 141. A distance by whichthe cutting section 14 is projected from the closed end 121 of the cap12 is smaller than a distance by which the at least one first projectedportion 13 is projected beyond the closed end 121 of the cap 12. Thatis, the cutting section 14 has a projected length shorter than that ofthe at least one projected portion 13 relative to the closed end 121 ofthe cap 12. Moreover, the closed end 121 of the cap 12 is configuredinto at least one guide surface 1211, which is a smoothly curved surfaceintegrally extended from the wall portion 123 of the cap 12 in the firstpreferred embodiment of the present invention.

Please also refer to FIGS. 1, 3, 3A, 4, and 4A at the same time. Whenthe pen with cutting function according to the first preferredembodiment of the present invention is used to cut open an article 15,which is fitly coated with a layer of shrink wrapping 151, simply bearthe first projected portion 13 against the article 15 lightly, with theguide surface 1211 formed at the closed end 121 of the cap 12 incontacting with an outer surface of the article 15 to be cut. And then,drag the whole pen toward the right side of the drawing while allowingthe guide surface 1211 to slide along the article 15 until the cuttingedge 141 of the cutting section 14 touches and cuts open the shrinkwrapping 151 coated on the article 15. The first projected portion 13also protects a user from undesired injury by the cutting section 14while dragging the pen. With the present invention, the user couldconveniently cut open an article 15 using a frequently available penwithout any other cutting tool.

Please refer to FIGS. 5, 5A, 6, 6A, 7, 7A, 8, and 8A, in which a secondpreferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. The secondembodiment is structurally and functionally similar to the firstembodiment, except that the wall portion 123 of the cap 12 is providedwith a second projected portion 16 identical to but opposite to the atleast one first projected portion 13. The first and the second projectedportion 13, 16 are spaced from each other by a distance equal to orslightly larger than a thickness of one side of the article 15 to be cutopen, so that the cap 12 straddles the side of the article 15 to be cutwhile the pen is dragged along the article 15, bringing the guidesurface 1211 to slide along the article 15. Since the side of thearticle 15 to be cut open is confined to the space between the first andthe second projected portion 13, 16, the shrink wrapping 151 tightlycoated on the outer surface of the article 15 could be naturally andsmoothly cut open by the cutting section 14 that is located at theclosed end 121 of the cap 12 between the two projected portions 13, 16.The properly determined space between the first and the second projectedportion 13, 16 also prevents the cutting section 14 from skidding offthe article 15 when the cap 12 of the pen is quickly slid, and thereforeprotects the user against injury due to negligent contact with thecutting section 14.

Please now refer to FIGS. 9, 9 a, 10, and 10A, in which a pen withcutting function according to a third preferred embodiment of thepresent invention is shown. As shown, the pen of the present inventionin the third embodiment includes a main body 21, which has a closedfirst end 211, a second end 212 opposite to the first end and having awriting tip 214 provided thereat, a body portion 213 extended betweenthe first and the second end 211, 212, at least one first projectedportion 23 axially extended from the body portion 213 to project beyondthe closed first end 211, and at least one cutting section 24 providedat the closed first end 211 in the vicinity of the at least one firstprojected portion 23 to project from the closed first end 211 by apredetermined distance; and a hollow cap 22, which has a closed end 221,an open end 222, a wall portion 223 extended from the closed end 221 tothe open end 222.

The cap 22 is adapted to fit at the open end 222 around the writing tip214 at the second end 212 of the main body 21.

The cutting section 24 includes a cutting edge 241. A distance by whichthe cutting section 24 is projected from the closed first end 211 of themain body 21 is smaller than a distance by which the at least one firstprojected portion 23 is projected beyond the closed first end 211 of themain body 21. That is, the cutting section 24 has a projected lengthshorter than that of the at least one projected portion 23 relative tothe closed first end 211 of the main body 21. Moreover, the closed firstend 211 of the main body 21 is configured into at least one guidesurface 2111, which is a smoothly curved surface integrally extendedfrom the body portion 213 of the main body 21 in the third preferredembodiment of the present invention.

Please also refer to FIGS. 9, 11, 11A, 12, and 12A at the same time.When the pen with cutting function according to the third preferredembodiment of the present invention is used to cut open an article 25,which is fitly coated with a layer of shrink wrapping 251, simply bearthe first projected portion 23 against the article 25 lightly, with theguide surface 2111 formed at the closed first end 211 of the main body21 in contacting with an outer surface of the article 25 to be cut. Andthen, drag the whole pen toward the right side of the drawing whileallowing the guide surface 2111 to slide along the article 25 until thecutting edge 241 of the cutting section 24 touches and cuts open theshrink wrapping 251 coated on the article 25. The first projectedportion 23 also protects a user from undesired injury by the cuttingsection 24 while dragging the pen. With the present invention, the usercould conveniently cut open an article 25 using a frequently availablepen without any other cutting tool.

Please refer to FIGS. 13, 13A, 14, 14A, 15, 15A, 16, and 16A, in which apen with cutting function according to a fourth preferred embodiment ofthe present invention is shown. The fourth embodiment is structurallyand functionally similar to the third embodiment, except that the bodyportion 213 of the main body 21 is provided with a second projectedportion 26 identical to but opposite to the at least one first projectedportion 23. The first and the second projected portion 23, 26 are spacedfrom each other by a distance equal to or slightly larger than athickness of one side of the article 25 to be cut open, so that the mainbody 21 straddles the side of the article 25 to be cut while the pen isdragged along the article 25, bringing the guide surface 2111 to slidealong the article 25. Since the side of the article 25 to be cut isconfined to the space between the first and the second projected portion23, 26, the shrink wrapping 251 tightly coated on the outer surface ofthe article 25 could be naturally and smoothly cut open by the cuttingsection 24 that is located at the closed first end 211 of the main body21 between the two projected portions 23,26. The properly determinedspace between the first and the second projected portion 23, 26 alsoprevents the cutting section 24 from skidding off the article 25 whenthe main body 21 of the pen is quickly slid, and therefore protects theuser against injury due to negligent contact with the cutting section24.

The present invention has been described with some preferred embodimentsthereof and it is understood that many changes and modifications in thedescribed embodiments can be carried out without departing from thescope and the spirit of the invention that is intended to be limitedonly by the appended claims.

1. A pen with cutting function, comprising a cap having a closed end, anopposite open end, a wall portion extended between said closed and saidopen end, at least one first projected portion axially extended fromsaid wall portion to project beyond said closed end by a predetermineddistance, and at least one cutting section provided at said closed endto project therefrom; whereby said cutting section is adapted to cutopen an article without the risk of easily skidding off said article. 2.The pen with cutting function as claimed in claim 1, wherein saidcutting section is projected from said closed end of said cap by adistance smaller than a distance by which said at least one firstprojected portion is projected beyond said closed end of said cap. 3.The pen with cutting function as claimed in claim 1, wherein saidcutting section includes a cutting edge.
 4. The pen with cuttingfunction as claimed in claim 1, wherein said wall portion of said cap isprovided with a second projected portion opposite to said at least onefirst projected portion.
 5. The pen with cutting function as claimed inclaim 1, wherein said closed end of said cap is configured into a guidesurface.
 6. The pen with cutting function as claimed in claim 5, whereinsaid guide surface is a smoothly curved surface.
 7. The pen with cuttingfunction as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a main body havingtwo opposite ends, and wherein said cap is fitted around one of said twoopposite ends of said main body.
 8. A pen with cutting function,comprising a main body having a closed first end, a second end oppositeto said first end, a body portion extended between said first and saidsecond end, at least one first projected portion axially extended fromsaid body portion to project beyond said closed first end, and at leastone cutting section provided at said closed first end to projecttherefrom by a predetermined distance; whereby said cutting section isadapted to cut open an article without the risk of easily skidding offsaid article.
 9. The pen with cutting function as claimed in claim 8,wherein said cutting section is projected from said closed first end ofsaid main body by a distance smaller than a distance by which said atleast one first projected portion is projected beyond said closed firstend of said main body.
 10. The pen with cutting function as claimed inclaim 8, wherein said cutting section includes a cutting edge.
 11. Thepen with cutting function as claimed in claim 8, wherein said bodyportion of said main body is provided with a second projected portionopposite to said at least one first projected portion.
 12. The pen withcutting function as claimed in claim 8, wherein said closed first end ofsaid main body is configured into a guide surface.
 13. The pen withcutting function as claimed in claim 12, wherein said guide surface is asmoothly curved surface.
 14. The pen with cutting function as claimed inclaim 8, further comprising a hollow cap having an open end, at wheresaid cap is fitted around a writing tip provided at said second end ofsaid main body.